Serra Club of Savannah
Blessed Junípero Serra, Priest
Serra is named after Fray Junípero Serra, the founding father of San Diego and the man who helped forge a new civilization in the American West. He was a humble man, a man of God, but mostly a man with a mission, to serve the Lord with a passion and commitment that resulted in a journey to California where he established nine Franciscan Missions.
Junípero Serra was born on November 24, 1713 on the island of Baleari Major and was given the name Peter. He entered the Order of the Friars Minor at Palma, Majorca in 1730 and, after completing his studies, was ordained to the priesthood in 1736. In April of 1749, he began his missionary work and went to Mexico, where he preached the gospel to the native peoples and founded missions. He entered California on July 1, 1767 and his blessin g of the site of Mission San Diego de Alcala on July 16, 1769, marked the beginning of the European settlement of California.
Over the next 15 years he founded nine missions along the California coast from San Diego to San Francisco. He died in Monterey on August 28, 1784 and is buried in the mission church of Saint Charles Borromeo, which he founded.When Father Serra died in 1784 he had established nine California missions and baptized 6,000 Indians, about 10 percent of the California Native American population. Those nine missions grew to 21. Today, more than 60 percent of the state's nearly 26 million people live in areas surrounding the missions, and El Camino Real, the road that Father Serra traveled on a tour of the missions shortly before this death, established a major artery running much of the length of the state.
By act of Congress signed by President John F. Kennedy October 16, 1963, a National Medal dedicated to Padre Juniper o Serra was struck at the Philadelphia Mint depicting his image on front, and on the back, the State map and the ten missions he established.
An Airmail Stamp was also dedicated in honor of Father Serra at a Ceremony in San Diego, California on August 22, 1885.
A statue honoring Fr. Serra as the Founder of California stands in Statuary Hall, Washington, D.C., representing the state of California.
Today, 200 years after his death, Blessed Junipera Serra, is a candidate for canonization.
Prayer for Canonization of Blessed Junípero Serra
Heavenly Father,
we ask you to look lovingly
on the missionary journey of your faithful servant,
Blessed Junípero Serra.
His steadfast efforts in founding nine missions in California
and the conversion of thousands of Native Americans
have inspired the formation and work of Serra International.
This ministry in Father Serra's name is to encourage and
affirm vocations to priesthood and vowed religious life.
We pray that you bless this holy and
courageous Franciscan missionary
and grant him the ultimate honor of Sainthood
in your heavenly kingdom.
We ask this in the name of thy Blessed Trinity
and of Mary, Queen of Vocations.
Amen